Yellow-casqued hornbill

The yellow-casqued hornbill, sometimes referred to as the yellow-casqued wattled hornbill, is a remarkably large bird native to the rainforests of West Africa, particularly in Côte d'Ivoire. These magnificent birds can weigh up to 2 kg (4.4 lb) and spend most of their time high in the forest canopy, rarely descending to the ground.

They typically live in small family groups consisting of adult males, females, and their young. Occasionally, they gather in larger flocks, especially when there is an abundance of food, such as ant or termite nests.

One of the primary threats to these hornbills is the crowned hawk-eagle. When they spot this predator, the hornbills respond by mobbing the eagle, making loud calls until the predator retreats. Interestingly, research has shown that yellow-casqued hornbills also react to alarm calls from Diana monkeys, with whom they share their habitat. The hornbills can differentiate between calls that signal a threat from eagles and those that warn of leopards, helping them navigate and survive the dangers of the forest.